- originally
published in Strangers In Paradise Volume III #1-17 (Image/Abstract 1996-98)

Writer/artist:
Terry Moore

I really
enjoyed this volume, detailing the ongoing adventures of Katchoo and Francine,
although Terry’s storytelling ability doesn’t hold up when you read 17 issues
in one hit. For starters, everyone in this series yell. A LOT. And the driving
storyline of criminal mastermind Darcy Parker trying to get one of her “girls”
into the White House has too many ludicrous holes in it to ever work for a
supposed evil genius. More successful are Moore’s later stories in this
omnibus: a four-part look at the early school friendship between the two key
characters, and a whacky Xena: Warrior Princess pastiche that’s a light, fun
read. Moore’s artwork is reminiscent of Jaime Hernandez and is quite exquisite.
I’l l be interested to see if his storytelling improves over the next four
volumes.

At its best,
this first volume features some amazing artwork, quirky storytelling and some
nicely revived old Batman supporting characters. Lord Death Man’s appearance in
the first two issues is a real highlight, as is Man Of Bats’ one-issue
appearance. But the series goes into a convoluted plot that I couldn’t really
grasp and I was left with a final sour taste in my mouth along the lines of,
“Grant’s being too clever for his own good again.”

46.-51.
Daredevil by Mark Waid Vol. 1 (Marvel, 2012) ****

- originally
published in Daredevil #1-6 (Marvel, 2011)

Writer: Mark
Waid/Artists: various
- The grim and mentally pummelled Bendis/Brubaker Daredevil is gone, replaced
with an old-school fun-loving DD that’s kinda cool to read, especially as Waid
hasn’t ignored what’s gone on before in the series, but incorporated it in his
own unique take on the Hornhead character. Is Daredevil now truly crazy, or is
he trying to deal with his fucked-up world in the only way he knows how, by being
a balls-to-the-wall swinging superhero? Waid lays the foundations for what
should be a pretty damn good series. I’ll be back for Volume 2.

Well, now at
least, I can say I’ve seen a super-powered vigilante actually rip a man’s head off and shit down his neck.

97. Buffy
The Vampire Slayer Season 9 #12 (Dark Horse, 2012) ***

Writer:
Andrew Chambliss/Artists: Georges Jeanty & Nathan Massengill

98. Solo #12
(DC, 2006) **

Writer/artist:
Brendan McCarthy

Overrated
trippy tosh.

99. Mondo #3
(Image, 2012) ***

Writer/artist:
Ted McKeever

After three
issues, all I can say is, “WTF?”

100. Maximum
Hero (Maximum Press, 1995) ½*

Writers/artists:
various

A hilarious
time capsule look at everthing that was bad about mainstream comics in the
mid-90s, this mag came as a free supplement in Hero Illustrated.Featuring
sub-Rob Liefeld wannabe art by the likes of Dan Fraga, John Stinsman and Marat
Mychaels. The only two things of interest are the brief preview of Brian
Denham’s My Name Is Mud (more later) and a teaser spread for Todd Nauck’s Wildguard.
What I found interesting was what Wildguard’s first incarnation appeared to be
very Liefeld-ish before eventually morphing into something far quirkier and,
dare I say it, entertaining.

101. My Name
Is Mud #1 (Incognito Comics, 1994) DUD

Writer/artist:
Brian Denham

Before it
got picked up by Maximum Press, MNIM got one self-published issue. I wonder if
the Maximum dudes read it before offering Denham a deal. Confusing art – at
times quite good, at other times very amateurish – dumb storyline, unlikable
characters with confused motives, and appalling dialogue. This is utter shit.
Of course, Maximum never did anything with MNIM either and it disappeared
(thank goodness). Denham, however, went on to become a pretty good artist and
does a lot of steampunk cheesecake pin-ups for Antarctic Press these days.

102. Batman:
Earth One (Special Preview Edition) (DC, 2012) **

Writer:
Geoff Johns/Artist: Gary Frank

Yawn...yet
ANOTHER retelling of Batman’s origin. This time, the only fresh tweak by DC’s
go-to man is that Alfred isn’t a prissy, sarcastic butler. He’s actually a
bad-ass ex-soldier. Stupid. Thankfully, Frank’s art is as gorgeous as ever. But
I can’t be arsed buying this redundant piece of cynical hackery.

103. By The
Time I Get To Wagga Wagga (Harrier, 1987)

Writer/artist:
Eddie Campbell

My brother
lives in Wagga Wagga, which is why I bought this comic. How many comics have
Wagga Wagga in the title? None, I tells ya!

I’ve heard
recommendations from Mike Pindell of The Comic Book Attic about this
self-published B&W comic, so when I finally got the chance to grab a few
copies, I did. This first issue is very quirky. In a nutshell, a hung-over guy
tries to remember what he drunkenly did the night before and blames his
behaviour on his alter ego, The Kamikaze Kid. The comic then segues into a
bizarre Western tale. All in all, an intriguing, bizarre start to the series.
I’m interested to read more.